In a heartwarming celebration, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, and her longtime partner Clarke Gayford have officially tied the knot in an intimate ceremony at Craggy Range Winery, located on the picturesque east coast of the North Island.
Originally planning to exchange vows in 2022, the couple faced setbacks due to strict Covid restrictions imposed by Ardern’s own government. The private event finally took place, with close friends and family in attendance, creating a truly special atmosphere.
Ardern, aged 43, exuded elegance in a fitted ivory dress designed by Juliette Hogan, a close friend of the former PM. She complemented her attire with shoes from Chaos and Harmony, a designer from Mount Maunganui. Adorned with a long veil and a cascading white bouquet, Ardern walked down the aisle accompanied by her daughter Neve and Clarke Gayford.
Neve, the couple’s five-year-old daughter, wore an adorable dress crafted from fabric originating from her grandmother Laurell Ardern’s wedding dress, adding a sentimental touch to the occasion.
Set against the backdrop of the stunning Hawke’s Bay, the ceremony featured a heartfelt five-minute wedding speech by Ardern, expressing gratitude to the attendees. Photos shared by the bride’s hairdresser, Tane Tomoana, revealed that guests enjoyed “paua and snapper” rolls during the celebration.
Ardern, globally recognized for her distinctive leadership style, served as New Zealand’s prime minister for over five years, earning accolades for her response to the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings. In her final parliamentary speech last January, she humorously urged her partner, “Let’s finally get married.”
Since resigning from public office, Ardern has undertaken three fellowships at Harvard University, taken on the role of trustee for Prince William’s Earthshot Prize, and become a special envoy for the Christchurch Call, a network addressing online terrorist and extremist content.
